The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with the latest guidance from the centers for. The albright grove loop is one of the easier smoky mountains national park backpacking trails found on our list. New illustrated book about great smoky mountains national park. Before planning your backcountry trip, please read through this important information about reservations and permits, regulations, bear safety, trail closures, and more. Requires hiking several miles to a site located in the parks backcountry. Frontcountry camping near your car in a developed campground that has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets. Here are the top 4 reasons to use the greenbrier entrance into the great smoky mountains national park. These are organized campgrounds with modern conveniences. What better way to end an adventurous day in the great smoky mountains national park than by spending a night underneath the stars. Located just 10 miles from gatlinburg, tennessee, under canvas great smoky mountains lies upon 182acres of lush, wooded terrain, just minutes from the entrance to great smoky mountains national park. All about camping in great smoky mountains national park.
Deep creek nc great smoky mountains national park youtube. The ultimate great smoky mountains travel guide outside online. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities like hiking and fishing, without the crowds, which are sometimes common in other parts of the park. Frontcountry camping great smoky mountains national park. Best camping in and near great smoky mountains national park.
For additional information about camping at big creek campground call 4234872683. Located on the little pigeon river in the heart of pigeon forge, this koa campground sits at the foothills of great smoky mountains national park. To make reservations, please visit the backcountry reservation website. Before planning your backcountry trip, please read. Campgrounds in great smoky mountains national park include frontcountry, backcountry, group campgrounds and horse camps. Because of the sheer number of visitors, the campgrounds within great smoky mountains national park usually book up quickly. Smoky mountain national park camping walking the parks. With 220 sites you have many options for where you want to camp. The exact opening and closing dates change each year, so be sure to visit the national park services frontcountry camping, group campgrounds, or horse camps web page for the latest schedule. The greenbrier section of the great smoky mountains national park is one of the best areas of the park to view spring wildflowers and fall foliage.
Most of the 92 camp sites are well shaded, although many are rather small and close. The border between tennessee and north carolina runs northeast to southwest through the. Gatlinburg east smoky mountain koa camping reservations. Great smoky mountain national park boondocking and.
This is the only all first come first serve campground in great smoky mountains national park. Located near gatlinburg with swimming areas, free wifi, and more. How the reservation system works national park service. Most frontcountry campsites in the park are wooded.
Star of screen and song, the smokies are the southeastern united states answer to the big western national parks. Camping in the great smoky mountains national park can take visitors back to a primitive time, while still offering the amenities that modern life necessitates. Nighttime visitors set up camping chairs on the little river trail near. Full information on the variety of options and campsites can be found at the park s website.
Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the great smoky mountains national park has to offer. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities like hiking and fishing, without the crowds, which are sometimes common in other areas of the park. Im lucky to call the 500,000acre great smoky mountains my backyard, and. Campgrounds camping great smoky mountains national park. National park service listing of park projects for great smoky mountains national park. That is the great smoky mountain national park, not a lot to it from the surface. This campground is usually quieter and without the hustle and bustle of the busier campgrounds. Every season is uniquely beautiful from winters snow capped peaks and trails, to springtimes parade of wildflowers, from summers cooling swimming holes. Even when elkmont is full, campsites are often available at cosby campground, located at the northeast corner of great smoky mountains national park. The great smoky mountains national park has over 100 backcountry campsites and shelters for you to choose from. A beautiful campground, just minutes from gatlinburg or townsend. This is a tent only campground with a short walk from the parking area. If you have a larger group, you will need to book two campsites or look for a campground.
The great smoky mountains national park service maintains developed camping in the smoky mountains at nine locations in the park. Best camping in great smoky mountains national park on tripadvisor. Requires hiking several miles to a site located in the park s backcountry. Each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets.
There are a lot of campgrounds around it inside of it. Top 5 smoky mountains national park backpacking trails. Great smoky mountains national park offers camping in the frontcountry and backcountry with campsites for tents, groups and horses. Big and busy are the two best words to describe elkmont campground.
Elkmont campground is the largest campground offering in great smoky mountains national park. Upper flats wilderness camping in great smoky mountains national park. Deep creek campground is a great kick off point for visitors coming from the south. Each standard campsite only accommodates six people. Smoky bear campground in gatlinburg tn has full hook up rv sites along with cabins and tent sites.
All of these major camping areas offer cold running water, flush toilets, fire grills and tables. Camping in the smoky mountains camping in the national park. Located only eight miles away from the famous town of gatlinburg, this is the number one stop at the great smoky mountains national park. Elkmont campground is the largest and busiest of the campgrounds located inside great smoky mountains national park. Abrams creek campground is located in a relatively remote area of great smoky mountain national park. Advance reservations are required at abrams creek, balsam mountain, big creek, and cataloochee campgrounds. Located at an elevation of 1,700 big creek campground is surrounded by. There is a total of ten campgrounds in the great smoky mountains national park. Where to camp in north carolina when great smoky mountains. It was a beautiful drive up there and the apalachan mountains are breathtaking. You can walk right into the great smoky mountains national park from this new koa. Moon great smoky mountains national park travel guide.
Recreational activities abound in the great smoky mountains national park. Great smoky mountains national park is a united states national park and unesco world heritage site that straddles the ridgeline of the great smoky mountains, part of the blue ridge mountains, which are a division of the larger appalachian mountain chain. With an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet, this trail is moderate in difficulty, thus perfect for beginning backpack hikers. So if youre looking for a camping experience filled with challenge and solitude, a backcountry campsite is the perfect option for you, and there are plenty of spots for you to choose from. I can say i am not surprised after seeing townsend saturday. The cataloochee campground at great smoky mountains national park is a small campground with only 27 sites. Backcountry camping backpacking national park service. Cosby campground information great smoky mountains. The cades cove is pretty accessible to big rigs, as long as you can get back there. Plan a trip to great smoky mountains national park koa. It was a tennessee version of a florida spring break beach. Aside from being kind of easy, this trail is also known for the abundance of historical structures and old. While planned activities, a zero entry seasonal swimming pool, fun. The campgrounds were filled to capacity and the restaurants were still allowing dining in.
Most roads in great smoky mountains national park are open to cycling, but steep terrain, narrow roadbeds, and heavy car traffic make most of them ill suited to safe and enjoyable riding. Great location with historic buildings, fishing, hiking, and a river to dip your feet in. Located next to one of the most popular creeks in the great smoky mountains national park, deep creek group camp provides traditional primitive camping with the stunning backdrop of the mountains. The beautiful flowing waters of big creek parallel the campground offering the visitor a pleasant soundscape and peaceful beauty.
My family and i will be taking our first trip to great smoky mountain national park this coming june. Only heattreated firewood that is bundled and certified by the united states department of agriculture usda or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. Camping at big creek great smoky mountains national park. Great smoky mountains national park temporary close. There is a great camp store next to the campground that has supplies, ice cream, ice, and firewood. Great smoky mountains national park campgrounds my smoky. All accommodate tent campers, and most can accommodate rvs, though there are no electric or water hookups at any of the campgrounds in the park. Abrams creek campground great smoky mountains national. Camping is abundant in great smoky mountains national park, and the options range from rugged to luxurious. There are ten frontcountry campgrounds within great smoky mountains national park. All have bathroom facilities with running water, but no showers or hookups. The great smoky mountains national park maintains developed frontcountry campgrounds at 10 locations in the park, click on campground titles below to learn more about each specific campground. Campsites will be available to book beginning april 27, 2020.
The national park campgrounds tend to be pretty crowded and a little tight, they are best suited to smaller rigs. Your guide to camping in the smoky mountains national park. Big creek campground is located in a remote portion of great smoky mountains national park. Deep creek campground great smoky mountains national. The park offers several different types of campsites. As of february 20, great smoky mountains national park requires a permit and advance reservations for all backcountry camping in the park.
Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at deep creek never disappoints. Frontcountry campsites can be found at abrams creek, balsam mountain, big creek, cades cove, cataloochee, cosby, deep creek, elkmont, and smokemont campgrounds. Experience the natural beauty and wildlife of one of americas favorite national parks, just outside the campgrounds privacy gate and across a small country lane. Guide to camping in great smoky mountain national park. The park has no mountain bike trails, although two short walking paths and one. We finally arrive at elkmont campground in the great smoky mountains. Big creek campground great smoky mountains national park.
Great smoky mountains national park elk springs resort. With over 800 miles of trail to explore, 700 miles of mountain streams to fish, almost 80 historic structures to visit, countless waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Some campgrounds and day use facilities at the national park operate on a reservation system for at least a portion of their operating season, while others operate strictly on first come, first served basis. Even if you havent been to our most visited national park yet, you can. The best great smoky mountains national park camping of. Camping, glamping and rv parks my smoky mountain park.
Each individual campsite has a fire grate and picnic table. Reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. We are located in the north east section of the great smoky mountain national park, near the local favorites. Campsites at abrams creek, balsam mountain, big creek, cades cove, cataloochee, cosby, elkmont, and smokemont may be reserved online or by phone at 877 4446777. Camping is the best way to soak up the natural beauty of the mountains and spend more time in the great outdoors.
Camping near great smoky mountains national park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners. Elkmont campground great smoky mountains national park. Rv camping at elkmont campground great smoky mountains. Since this area is not as busy as other sections in the. Below is a link to a news story from knox newspaper online dated today march 24th 2020 regarding the closing of the great smoky mountains national park today at noon until april 6th 2020. Listed in the table below are great smoky mountains national park s current plans or projects. From waterfront spots for tenting to patio rv sites, pigeon forge gatlinburg koa holiday has something for every type of camper. Cataloochee campground great smoky mountains national. For reservable facilities, reservations can be made at. Smoky mountain campground near gatlinburg tn greenbrier.